Cle and NBA draft

[RoyalShock]

That's why they need Cle.

"If you don't have him, that's why you need him." - Yogi Berra

[CBB_Fan]

If Baker and Early both came out this year, they'd both get drafted. Depending on how we do over the next two months, they could both even be first round picks. And I think that we are lucky Van Vleet is 5'11" instead of 6'3"; four inches won't do anything to make him a better player but they are the difference between having him four years and him being a lottery pick. Personally I think he's the best point guard in college basketball, and the only reason he's not a hot NBA prospect is his height (and non-elite athleticism). But I'd rather have Van Vleet for four years than any one-and-done PG, and I'm glad that Baker and Early will get a chance to continue representing us in the NBA when their college careers are done.

[BostonWu]

Cle likely moves into the 1st round if we make another deep run.

"Product of a winning program and coached up right by Gregg Marshall ... as Wichita keep winning, Early keeps climbing draft boards."

http://nbadraft.net/players/cleanthony-early

[Aargh]

I think VanVleet goes NBA. I know he doesn't have the physical part of an NBA PG, but I think 3 years of watching what he can do will convince some NBA teams to take a long, hard look by drafting him. Even if someone drafts him just to make sure no one else can get him and they have to play against him.

[wsushox1]

The next month is huge for Cle's draft stock. Projections by the people paid the most to project NBA drafts show Cle not getting drafted.

AKA someone is getting a steal in FA

[AZ Shocker]

Bark twice if you're in Milwaukee!!! Lol

[Rlh04d]

The next month is huge for Cle's draft stock. Projections by the people paid the most to project NBA drafts show Cle not getting drafted.

AKA someone is getting a steal in FA

I really hope that doesn't happen. Having Early drafted is big for the program.

I'm confident in his ability to make an NBA team whether he's drafted or not. But WSU needs him drafted. Good for recruiting.

[mjbaker84]

It's the NBA, I don't care which team, would be great to see the young man rewarded for his hard work.

my thoughts exactly!
add another Shocker to a current NBA roster and im ecstatic!

[ShockTalk]

If Baker and Early both came out this year, they'd both get drafted. Depending on how we do over the next two months, they could both even be first round picks. And I think that we are lucky Van Vleet is 5'11" instead of 6'3"; four inches won't do anything to make him a better player but they are the difference between having him four years and him being a lottery pick. Personally I think he's the best point guard in college basketball, and the only reason he's not a hot NBA prospect is his height (and non-elite athleticism). But I'd rather have Van Vleet for four years than any one-and-done PG, and I'm glad that Baker and Early will get a chance to continue representing us in the NBA when their college careers are done.

I don't follow the NBA that much and particularly draft boards, but where are you seeing Baker as a potential draft pick this year.

Looking at the site @BostonWu: had in his post, nbadraft.net, Baker does not show up among the top 50 sophomores or honorable mention sophomores.

[wufan]

I don't follow the NBA that much and particularly draft boards, but where are you seeing Baker as a potential draft pick this year.

Looking at the site @BostonWu had in his post, nbadraft.net, Baker does not show up among the top 50 sophomores or honorable mention sophomores.

It was previously posted that he was one of the top 100 best college prospects this year. I didn't believe it until I read it. Ron will be in the NBA someday, just not yet.

[CBB_Fan]

I don't follow the NBA that much and particularly draft boards, but where are you seeing Baker as a potential draft pick this year.

Looking at the site @BostonWu had in his post, nbadraft.net, Baker does not show up among the top 50 sophomores or honorable mention sophomores.

Chad Ford (ESPN's draft guy) has Baker at #43, and had this to say earlier in the year:

Who's the biggest sleeper in this year's draft? Myself and a lot of NBA scouts are very high on Wichita State's Ron Baker. He's sitting in the 40s on our Big Board right now, but the more I watch him play and the more I talk with scouts, I think he ends up as a potential first rounder -- especially if scouts are convinced he can play the point in the NBA.

I don't think Ron would leave early, but I do think that there would be serious talk about him if he is still playing in April. He's not getting a lot of talk now because of the nagging ankle injury the last couple months (combining with a relatively boring MVC schedule), but if he starts putting up 20+ against NCAA opponents like he did in November and February he'll be in the discussion. He's healthier now than we've seen him in MVC play (as shown by the dunks), and he has good size and shooting touch for an NBA guard.

I think he'll be compared to Kirk Hinrich, which would be a decently fair comparison. Both guys were 6'3 college SGs with the ability to play PG, and good shooting touch. Hinrich was supposed to be a mid-late first round pick, but impressed the Bulls enough in their pre-draft workouts that they decided to draft him #7 overall. Both were 2nd on their teams in scoring, and both had higher stocks because of a Final Four run. Baker's stock will have the potential to rise over the next month and half, and I think he has the potential to impress teams with his shooting and athleticism in practice (a lot of people naturally assume Baker being white means he's unathletic, even Chad Ford).

[Spaulding]

Movin on up...

http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-basketball/2014/03/23/wichita-state-basketball-cleanthony-earlys-draft-stock-soars-despite-loss/

30th pick per draftexpress

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Cleanthony-Early-65803/

27 to miami. Comparison to cliff Robinson.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Cleanthony-Early-65803/

Cle dunked all over willie cauley stein

http://thebiglead.com/2014/03/23/cleanthony-early-dunked-all-over-willie-cauley-stein/

[kcshocker11]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2011158-ncaa-tournament-2014-potential-1st-round-picks-who-have-improved-stock-most

[Nickwayne87]

number 13 on http://www.nbadraft.net now

[Play Angry]

This is really, really cool and I look forward to all the updates between now and draft night.